By Business Insider Reporter
Young Africans SC (Yanga) has insisted that it will not participate in the rescheduled NBC Premier League derby against Simba SC, set for June 15 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Instead, Yanga will engage in an international friendly against Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in Kigali on the same date, marking the inauguration of Rayon Sports’ new stadium.
Yanga Communications Manager, Ali kamwe told local media yesterday that the club has invitation in Rwanda and Kenya and it is weighing on which invitation to honour.
The original fixture, scheduled for March 8, was postponed only hours before kick-off by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) due to safety and logistical concerns after Simba SC had lodged a complaint alleging they were denied access to the stadium for mandatory pre-match training, a claim that led to the match’s postponement.
Yanga contested the postponement, asserting that Simba’s claims were unfounded and that the match should have proceeded as planned.
The club sent its team on that day but there were no officials to officiate the match. Simba did not send their team.
Yanga sought intervention from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting to be awarded a victory plus three ploints.
However, CAS dismissed the appeal, citing that Yanga had not exhausted all local judicial avenues before seeking international arbitration.
Despite the CAS ruling, Yanga remains steadfast in its decision to boycott the rescheduled match.
A senior club official stated, “We want to be clear – we have not changed our decision. The leadership, with full support from our members and fans, has agreed not to play the Simba match on June 15”.
Earlier today, a group of club elders told reporters that their team will not participate in the rescheduled game and dared the authorities to penalise their club for that.
Simba SC, on the other hand, has expressed readiness to participate in the derby.
The club’s Media and Communication Manager, Ahmed Ally, emphasised their commitment, stating, “Simba is all about playing football, so we’re delighted and have already started preparing”.
The ongoing dispute has drawn attention from football authorities and fans alike, raising concerns about the integrity of the league and the enforcement of its regulations.
The TPLB has yet to announce any disciplinary measures or alternative arrangements in response to Yanga’s boycott.
As the June 15 date approaches, the Tanzanian football community awaits further developments, hoping for a resolution that upholds the spirit of the game and maintains the league’s credibility.
